Lexington, KY – The Transylvania Pioneers dropped the final game of their round robin against the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Titans on Monday afternoon, falling by a score of 4-1 at Legends Stadium. Despite a late offensive push, the Pioneers were unable to overcome an early deficit.

The Titans took the lead in the top of the fourth inning when Zach Taylor singled through the right side, driving in Carter Stebane to put UW-Oshkosh ahead 1-0. The score remained unchanged until the top of the seventh when the Titans added three more runs. Zach Taylor scored on a wild pitch, followed by an RBI fielder's choice from Owen Housinger that brought in Mason Kirchberg. The final run of the inning came when Jake Surane doubled to right-center, and Owen Housinger scored on a fielding error by the center fielder.

The Pioneers finally got on the board in the bottom of the seventh inning. Freshman shortstop Max Finn led off the inning with a triple down the right-field line. Freshman third baseman Baxter Tedesco followed with a double down the left-field line, scoring Finn and cutting the Titans' lead to 4-1.

Transylvania threatened again in the bottom of the ninth. Max Finn singled up the middle with one out, but the next two batters were retired, ending the game.

Offensively, Max Finn was a standout for the Pioneers, recording a triple and a single and scoring their lone run. Freshman third baseman Baxter Tedesco also had a key RBI double. Junior designated hitter Seita Shiratori contributed a double as well.

Sophomore pitcher Drew Bowles started for the Pioneers and took the loss, pitching 6.0 innings and allowing four runs (three earned) on six hits while striking out nine. The Transylvania bullpen saw appearances from sophomore pitcher Brayden Offenbacher, sophomore pitcher Giancarlo Gonzalez, sophomore pitcher Gabe Dillard, and fifth-year senior pitcher Matthew Armstrong, who each pitched a scoreless inning.

Connor Brinkman earned the win for UW-Oshkosh, pitching a solid 7.0 innings, allowing just one run on three hits and striking out five. Brett Gaynor earned the save, pitching two scoreless innings and allowing one hit.

Looking Ahead: Pioneers 

The Transylvania Pioneers will hit the road next weekend to open their Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) schedule with a doubleheader against the Bluffton University Beavers in Bluffton, Ohio, on Saturday, March 22nd.

The Pioneers and Beavers are scheduled to play two games on Saturday. The first game is scheduled to begin at 12:00 PM, followed by the second game at approximately 3:00 PM.

This doubleheader marks the beginning of conference play for Transylvania, and these matchups against Bluffton will be crucial as they look to establish a strong start in the HCAC standings. 

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